Heloise: Noteworthy dinner party

Dear Heloise: When I’m having a dinner party, some of the guests invariably ask, “What can I do to help?” I’ve found that it’s good to take them up on the offer. I have small tasks listed on sticky notes and have the notes attached to a cupboard door. Those offering to help can choose what they’d like to do. They pull the note off the cupboard, complete the task and throw away the note after.

Here are some examples:

■ Put ice in the water glasses.

■ Pour water into glasses.

■ Put rolls in the oven and watch them.

■ Open the wine.

■ Place butter on table.

The possibilities are endless. The hostess is sure the details aren’t forgotten, and those offering to help really do help. — Peggy D., via email

We love this hint in Heloise Central! I brought it back from my recent trip to Naples, Fla., where I spoke to a lovely group of women at the Friends of the Salvation Army Bonita Springs/Estero Annual Winter Luncheon.

One message from my speech was that everyone has a skill or talent that charities need, so call around, and the right charity is waiting for you. — Heloise

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Dear Heloise: Here is the greatest gift that you can give people in a nursing home: Plan a weekly or occasional visit to the home. You need not know even one resident. Go from room to room with a smile and say “Hello” to each patient as though she or he were the one you came to visit. All you need to bring is your smile. The vast majority of nursing-home patients are the forgotten ones. — Arlene S., Tamarac, Fla.

Arlene, this is a very nice thought, and you are right, it can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life. However, most nursing homes and assisted-living facilities require you to sign in and note who you are visiting. If you checked with the staff first, they would probably welcome a friendly visit. — Heloise

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Dear Heloise: I took my daughter to the orthodontist for a panoramic X-ray. I sent her to school with her hair in a bun because she was going to dance class after the appointment. The X-rays required her to have no metal on her head (she had hairpins holding together her bun). We had to take down the bun, but I learned that if she had earrings, barrettes or anything else metal, it would have had to be removed as well. Thought it was a hint worth sharing! — Darlene D., via email

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Dear Heloise: When my son left for college, knowing that laundry would be hard enough for him to take care of, I couldn’t imagine what would happen with his towels. I bought navy towels to match his jeans and told him this would take the guesswork out of washing these two items! — Judy K. in Ohio

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Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.